Posted by Shaggle Rock on January 3, 2020, 3:31 pm
Madison County Chairman Alan Dunstan said in a press release he wants to make sure “something like what happened in the Metro East Sanitation District doesn’t happen again,” regarding allegations that MESD President Andy Economy’s car repair business may have improperly profited from repairing county owned vehicles.
Dunstan said he would request a review by a County Board Committee of all policies and procedures used by boards and commissions under Madison County governance. The review would be conducted on all boards whose members are appointed by the Madison County Board.
Andy’s Auto Body & Towing in Madison has brought in $33,150 in profits from repairs to district owned vehicles, according to a report in the Belleville News Democrat. The paper reported that $18,400 of that came from the many wrecks of a district-owned car driven by MESD executive director Bob Shipley.
Economy spoke with the Madison County Record about the business his company earned in repairing district-owned vehicles. He acknowledged that his repair shop works on the vehicles, but denied any impropriety.
“If the levee paid it out of their pocket it would be a different story, but the levee board’s insurance company is paying for it,” Economy told the Record.
Dunstan appointed Economy to his position of MESD president.
Economy is one of Dunstan's largest political donors – having given at least $15,000 to Dunstan’s campaign both personally and through his car repair shop, according to illinoissunshine.org.
Dunstan’s office told the Record he was not available for an interview – but did send a press release.
“It is important that these taxing districts operate in a manner that follows legal, ethical, and best management practices and in a way that is completely open and transparent to the public,” Dunstan said in the release.
According to the release, Dunstan has already taken action in the case of the district vehicles.
“The day the allegations were brought to his attention, on October 16th, concerning a possible conflict of interest regarding a district vehicle being repaired by one of the Metro-East Sanitary District’s Commissioner’s business, he immediately requested the Attorney representing the Metro East Sanitary District stop the activity and that a thorough review of the situation take place,” the release states.
Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler is running against Dunstan for County Board Chairman. He said he wants an investigation into the alleged activities of Economy – not just an investigation of policy.
“If the alleged actives are true, this board member should resign immediately and if he refuses, the county board chairman and the county board should remove him, which is allowed by Illinois law,” Prenzler said. “An investigation should be conducted into the reports of these actives, as well.”
Madison County Board Chairman Alan J. Dunstan said Economy committed an ethical violation when he failed to disclose work done on MESD vehicles by his auto repair shop. Declining to disclose those profits led Dunstan to ask the County Board for his removal. The board was set to vote on the measure at Wednesday’s meeting."Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Re: Laughable
Posted by Wally Bunker on January 3, 2020, 5:17 pm, in reply to "Laughable"
Its the good ole boys network, they dont really remove anyone, they just reshuffle. If anyone should be getting a gig its the old County Chairman who took the hit for some of these crooks years ago. If i was him id be saying, what about me.
Re: Laughable
Posted by Wally Bunker on January 3, 2020, 5:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Laughable"
Ooops not Chairman, Treasurer. He needs to be compensated for his pain and suffering.
Well thank Jay Hoffman on election day
Posted by Riverbender on January 3, 2020, 5:49 pm, in reply to "Laughable"
Who introduced the legislation to put the usual bunch of Democrats back in power. Hoffman, for those that don't remember, was defeated in his own heavily Democrat party district some years ago by a Republican. Some crafty maneuvering, thank you Mr. Madigan, got Hoffman qualified to run in new safe for Democrat's district represented by Tom Holbrook. Holbrook was rewarded, for voting for Quinn's tax hike, a position of Director of Natural Resources that spiked his pension quite well. Holbrook has since retired and is now at St. Clair County as he builds up another pension paid for by the working taxpayers. The wonderful life given to the State of Illinois by the Democrats.
As an interesting sideline Bob Romanik once broadcast that he sat next to Holbrook in study hall at East Side back in the day and he was going to beat his *** one time but backed off and didn't. Romanik went on to say he wished he would have looking back on the situation and, for those of us that knew Holbrook, the event would have been applauded.
By the way speaking of Hoffman, did you know he was Blagojevich's room mate once? No big deal but keep electing your Democrats and paying your taxes and despite what a troll says here...Jay Hoffman supports the welfare trash parasites in this area. These types actually move here for these benefits but hey, its the Democrats that look o ut for the working class right? LOL
Dwight Kay beat Hoffman. Hoffman is a survivor, you have to give him that. He went from being one of Blaggos top downstate Lieutenants to being taken down by Kay. He didnt quit though and still finds himself relevant.
relevant enough to get Madigan to gerrymander a district for him
And why not, one way or another they get their way, even if sometimes it takes some time. Some days i wake up and wish i was a Democrat, and how much simpler that would be. I used to be one that figured on local stuff who cares if its a Republican or Democrat and some of the elections you dont even declare a party affiliation. At least at the township it wasnt all about any party affiliation, it was just normal everyday run of the mill nonsense. There is a limited amount of these political positions and boards to sit on and the game is to be in the middle of as much of it as you possibly can. Since the mayor of Pontoon is going to win everytime he runs until he gets tired of it, he doesnt need me. Whats the point in even wasting time to vote in these elections? Helens gone, Chris is safe, and one vote from me wont make or break Kurt.
on January 3, 2020, 3:31 pm